Page 177 of Remorseless
Chapter Thirty-Two
February 5th
Several times, Ryan raised his hand to knock on CJ’s door, then lowered it just as many times. He wasn’t even sure why the fuck he was there.
CJ had survived. There was no tragic ending. Much to Bash’s disappointment. At least according to Willard. Why Ryan believed that lying porcupine, he couldn’t say.
Willard was after him to look at a video of Harley. He swore Ryan would find it hilarious. Ryan was just as certain he wouldn’t. As a matter of fact, he’d hate seeing her so debased, even as angry as he was with her.
Since the last get-together, he’d barely spoken to that witch. After the dust settled and he fucking thought about her bullshit, not only was he fucking disgusted, he was…hurt.
So, yeah, fuck her.
Laying his hand on his cousin’s bedroom door, he started to back away, then stopped. He still didn’t like CJ—too much—but he no longer wanted him dead. He’d check on the motherfucker and pretend he didn’t give a fuck.
‘Cause he didn’t. He wasn’t some bitch, boohooing behind a motherfucker who still didn’t have the decency to have acne.
He balled his fist and pounded on the door.
“Come in,” CJ called.
Good to know he kept the door unlocked. Next time he’d just barge in.
Pasting a smirk on his face, Ryan swung the door open and walked into CJ’s room. He fuckingrefusedto admire the décor or the size. It absolutely didn’t matter.
“Hey, cuck.”
CJ didn’t lift his head from the magazine he was reading. “Hey, motherfucker.”
Ryan ran out of words.
Huffing, CJ threw the magazine aside and glared at Ryan. “I’m fine, Ryan. Are you going to be sentimental, or can I count on your assholery?”
Ryan sniggered; CJ smiled, and the tension broke.
“Mom cried for two fucking days, fuckhead.”
“Aunt Zoann told me how upset she was when she visited. Earlier today, she called Diesel, and my mom and dad in. She slapped the shit out of me, Diesel,andDad.”
“No shit?” Ryan puffed out his chest in pride. “Why Outlaw?”
“She said if he hadn’t gotten me involved in club business, I wouldn’t have been there after hours. Uncle Val started to tell her something, then she threatened to knock the fuck out of him too.”
“Your mom didn’t step in?”
“Nope. Methinks she wants to slap the shit out of us herself.”
“Chicks, man,” Ryan grumbled.
“They make the world beautiful.”
Ryan shook his head. “That’s some sappy ass shit, bro.”
“Perhaps, but a fucking inescapable truth.”
Ryan considered telling CJ about DeLuca, then quickly nixed the idea. Whatever reason Bash sent Pounder had to play out. Ryan just couldn’t risk Molly because of a few minutes of peace and acceptance between him and CJ.
Unsure how to ask if he could hang out, Ryan headed to CJ’s desk and sat in the chair.
